"Free" Bassist, Andy Fraser - RIP
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Re: "Free" Bassist, Andy Fraser - RIP
this guy was a seriously talented muso.....
GrantB wrote:
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Re: "Free" Bassist, Andy Fraser - RIP
Free's sound was based as much on Fraser's lithe bass playing as it was on Kossoff's fine ear and restraint. Unlike a lot of Andy Fraser's fellow bass players of the early 70s, he played the bass all the way up the neck not just down by the nut. In between Kossoff's sparse tasteful playing, Fraser slid around all over the fretboard, playing unexpectedly energetic fills and melodies. Check out some of the videos of Free on YouTube and watch for Fraser playing the crap out of his bass.
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Re: "Free" Bassist, Andy Fraser - RIP
I loved Andy Fraser. He was one of two players that showed me, through their records, that there really was something to bass.
I don't know how many thousands of times I listened to the Free Live album over the years, and that upward run during the Mr Big solo... it's like the Loch Ness Monster stretching its back and shaking off the water. Strong sinewy lines, fantastic, graceful playing... gentle, delicate and yet powerful. Big round tone from that EB. His playing had these huge shoulders that carried the rest of the sound. Wonderful player.
And basically, he put me onto something I've loved doing every single time I've done it, for over thirty years. Now that's a debt I owe him.
I don't know how many thousands of times I listened to the Free Live album over the years, and that upward run during the Mr Big solo... it's like the Loch Ness Monster stretching its back and shaking off the water. Strong sinewy lines, fantastic, graceful playing... gentle, delicate and yet powerful. Big round tone from that EB. His playing had these huge shoulders that carried the rest of the sound. Wonderful player.
And basically, he put me onto something I've loved doing every single time I've done it, for over thirty years. Now that's a debt I owe him.
"Vince, have you ever tried playing an expensive bass?" - Polarbear.
"And isn't that the finest acoustic bass guitar feedback solo you've ever heard?" - Billy Moose.
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Re: "Free" Bassist, Andy Fraser - RIP
People remember Free for their more rock blues riff based material but their repertoire was far wider and included some beautifully simple yet perfect songs many of which were instigated by Andy.. After Free he was in a band called Sharks and their debut album First Water features some great lead bass playing underpinned by Chris Spedding's consummate rhythm guitar.. I had the pleasure of hanging out with all these guys back in the early 70's when we all used to frequent Basing St Studios, then the home of Island Records..
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Re: "Free" Bassist, Andy Fraser - RIP
awesome story
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.